Community Garden Program
The City of Barrie's Community Garden Program is governed by the Community Garden Policy. There are currently four locations: Golden Meadow Park, Sunnidale Park, Shear Park and Eastview Community Park.
Community Garden Use during COVID-19 Pandemic
Community gardens are open to registered gardeners only. All gardeners must sign and submit the new Garden Plot Rental Agreement, which contains guidelines to practice safe use of community gardens, to use their community garden plot. If you are a registered gardener, please submit your new signed form by May 24, 2020, to retain your plot. Signs outlining the new guidelines are posted at all sites.
On April 25, 2020, the Ontario Government amended their emergency order to permit the use of community gardens during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SMDHU's guidance document provides information for municipal staff, volunteers and garden users to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 while using a shared garden space.
There are still some garden plots available for rent. Interested gardeners can download a Garden Plot Rental Agreement and submit the agreement by mail with payment by cheque payable to the "City of Barrie" (please do not send cash in the mail) to City of Barrie, Service Barrie, Box 400, Barrie Ontario, L4M 4T5. For more information, please contact Service Barrie at 705-726-4242 or email servicebarrie@barrie.ca.
Rental & Registration Information
Prior to renting a plot, gardeners are to read the policy and sign a Garden Plot Rental Contract. The City of Barrie administers the registration of the garden plots and any alterations to the garden plan. The gardeners elect a garden coordinator to operate the day to day functions of the garden and liaise with the City. Gardeners are welcome to rent more than one plot after May 1st, subject to availability.
Single Plot: $20 + HST ($22.60) - 1.5 x 4.5m (5'x15')
Double Plot: $50 + HST ($56.50) - 3m x 4.5m (10' x 15')
How to Rent a Garden Plot
Current gardeners must re-register for their same plot annually by October 31st. New Gardener registrations are accepted starting November 1st annually.
- Fill out and sign a Garden Plot Rental Contract. One plot per person, except after May 1.
- Submit by mail with payment by cheque payable to the "City of Barrie" (please do not send cash in the mail) to City of Barrie Community Garden Administrator, Service Barrie, Box 400, Barrie Ontario, L4M 4T5.
- Signed contracts will be received on a first-come/first-serve basis. Gardeners may pick their plot immediately if registering in person. If the contract was submitted by mail, registrants will be notified of their plot number by phone or e-mail. Your contact information will be made available to the Garden Coordinator, who will contact you when the garden is opened up in the spring. If you indicate on your contract that you are interested in being a Garden Coordinator, you will be contacted by the City of Barrie Community Garden Administrator.
- Due to the limited number of plots available, you may be placed on a waiting list, in priority sequence, if the plots are all rented by an early date. Your payment will be returned to you if your contract was submitted by mail. If a plot becomes available, you will be contacted according to the waiting list priority sequence, and the fee will be due at that time. Please submit your signed contract regardless of plot availability in order to help indicate the level of community interest and the need for more garden plots.
Community Garden Locations
Golden Meadow Park - 139 Hurst Drive
Established in 2012 through financial support from Living Green - Environmental Action Barrie, this is an unfenced location, with parking and water service. There are 12 single garden plots and 6 double plots available for a total of 18 plots in this location. Please refer to the Golden Meadow Park - Community Garden Layout for plot numbers. Gardeners are welcome to rent more than one plot after May 1st, subject to availability.
Shear Park Community Garden - 21-23 Holgate Street
Constructed in 2019 by Urban Pantry through a Trillium Foundation grant, this is an unfenced location with parking and water service. There are nine single plots and nine double plots. There are two accessible single plots, raised to four feet (1.2 metres) with wide edges to support sitting. Raised beds are reserved for accessible rental until June 1 annually. They will be made available to the general public after June 1. Please refer to the Shear Park Community Garden Layout for plot numbers.
Sunnidale Park - Coulter Street curve
Established in 2010, with a financial contribution and the work of many volunteers from Living Green - Environmental Action Barrie, the Sunnidale Community Garden is located along Coulter Street in Sunnidale Park. It is a fenced area containing 10 single garden plots and 11 double plots (see Sunnidale Park - Community Garden Layout) within the fenced enclosure. This layout is subject to change at the gardeners' discretion. Gardeners are welcome to rent more than one plot after May 1st, subject to availability. Please note: there is no water tap available on site and gardeners are responsible for their own water supply. There is also an abundance of groundhogs due to the natural parkland, and gardeners are advised to implement any controls necessary (raised beds, chicken wire etc.) on their plots to prevent loss of produce.
(New in 2020) Eastview Community Park - 453 Grove Street
This is an unfenced location with parking and water service. There are two (2) raised plots, ten (10) ground level single plots and nine (9) double plots. In 2020, double plots #10 and #19 are sponsored communal plots. If you are interested in participating in a communal plot, please contact Service Barrie for more information. This garden was sponsored and built by Urban Pantry through a Trillium Foundation Grant. Please refer to Eastview Garden Map for plot numbers.
Evolution of the Sunnidale Community Garden - Photos
(November 2009 - September 2010)